Pfizer recalls a million packets of birth control pills

Pfizer recalled about 1 million birth control pill packets because some… (FDA )

In a terrifying bit of news for women trying to avoid pregnancy, Pfizer Inc. is recalling roughly a million packets of birth control pills that may have inaccurate tablet counts that could also be out of sequence.

Though the mistake won’t cause health risks, Pfizer said in a statement that “the daily regimen for these oral contraceptives may be incorrect and could leave women without adequate contraception, and at risk for unintended pregnancy.”

Packs of Lo/Ovral-28 and generic Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol pills, labeled under the Akrimax Pharmaceuticals brand, are supposed to have 21 “active” pills with contraceptive hormones and seven “inert” placebos.

But Pfizer said this week that the balance of active to inert tablets in some packs may be inaccurate and that the pills may have been inserted out of order.

The pills were sent to warehouses, clinics and retail pharmacies nationwide. Head over to the FDA here for the full list of affected lot numbers.